Newcastle United Women’s support for the community celebrated with Newcastle United Foundation

A special collaboration between Newcastle United Women and Newcastle United Foundation is being celebrated with positive impact recognised at Newcastle United Women v Birmingham City Women.

Leading the teams out for the Women’s Super League 2 game were inspiring young mascots from the Foundation’s United for Health programme. The programme supports children living with various medical conditions and provides regular support from the Foundation, including special visits from players on hospital wards.

Newcastle United Women have worked closely with Newcastle United Foundation to develop the United for Health initiative with players taking an active role in influencing the programme’s work.

Each mascot this evening accesses the Foundation’s weekly adaptive sports sessions, designed specifically for chronically ill children, allowing them to re-engage with physical activity in a way that is safe, inclusive and supportive of their varied medical needs.

Emily Murphy and Lois Joel are two players leading on United for Health, regularly visiting chronically ill children in hospital or at outpatient events including sports sessions hosted at the Foundation’s community hub, NUCASTLE.

Melissa Scott, Project Coordinator in the Great North Children’s Hospital for Newcastle United Foundation, said: “Collaborating with Newcastle United Women is incredibly important for the young people we engage with who see their heroes getting involved and supporting their community here in the Newcastle.

“It can be transformational to have inspirational role models like Emily Murphy and Lois Joel spending their time with young people and helping them to create positive memories – especially when the young people we support are often experiencing a very physically and emotionally challenging time in their life.

“We know each mascot walking out this evening is incredibly proud and excited to be here and to be supporting their favourite team. It’s a very special moment and we also know how this can uplift entire families during difficult periods of treatment.

“We have been working closely together since the start of the season and have supported 38 children to date.

“It’s been fantastic to see the encouragement the players provide for our participants who can get to know their heroes through activities on the ward, question and answer sessions and multi-sport activity days. Players have had a profound impact on these mascots through the United for Health programme and their genuine care and commitment for the community.”

In addition to being mascots this evening, the group of children will also enjoy exclusive behind-the-scenes access during matchday preparations, including a meet and greet with the Magpies and the opportunity to watch player warm-ups pitchside.

Both Murphy and Joel have been keen participants in visiting sick children during the club’s yearly Christmas visits, and Republic of Ireland international Murphy told UNITED about how she wants to take things even further.

“I’m an avid volunteer with the Newcastle United Foundation, and I love everything that they do and what they stand for,” she says.

“Going to see the children and the parents provides them with a sort of distraction and removal from what is going on in their lives.

“When I go there, it’s about just being a friend to them all, being someone they can play games with, do activities, and just supporting them in any way that I can.

“As footballers, we’re role models for so many young people regardless of the situation they’re in, and when we have our afternoons and evenings off, it’s good to give back a bit.”

United for Health is a Players’ Project Pilot, supported by the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association. The Players’ Project Pilot aims to build stronger connections between players, communities and football clubs by putting players at the heart of local projects that help to address important societal issues.

This season, 17 projects are being delivered across England and Wales by professional football club charities and player foundations supported by the Premier League and PFA in their local communities.

Projects are developed in collaboration with current and former professional football players and scholars, to enhance the impact on participants. Funding is distributed by the Premier League Foundation.

For more information about the Newcastle United Foundation and programmes near you, follow Newcastle United Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok and X for regular news and updates.